A KR QUANTEC Robot Depalletizes High Stacks of Beer Crates for Widmer Brothers Brewing

Starting point / Task definition

The previous bottle depalletizer at Widmer Brothers Brewing was a semi-automated system that was no longer able to handle the increasingly shorter cycle times – which slowed depalletizing operations and led to productivity losses. Safety was also a big driver: Unloading the crates by hand was problematic for safety reasons since the motion sequences were repeated. This makes the work extremely tough and very strenuous on the human body. Beyond this, it had to be possible in the future to load the pallets to the full height and not, as was previously the case, just halfway.

Implementation / Solution

Since a conventional depalletizer was eliminated as a possibility from the outset due to the low ceiling height, the integrator and official KUKA system partner Midwest Engineered Systems turned to a robot-based solution. The robot had to be able to move the upper layers of the incoming pallet load underneath an existing beam. With its six axes, the KR 270 R2700 ultra selected by Widmer Brewing can easily avoid the ceiling beam and thus unload the pallet stacked to full height.

System components / Scope of supply

The KR 270 R2700 ultra performs convincingly at Widmer Brothers Brewing through maximum flexibility and an ideal ratio of payload to reach. It easily lifts 270 kg and has a maximum reach of 2700 mm. Thanks to its six axes, it offers the necessary agility to perfectly master the difficult installation situation due to the low ceiling height. It also scores points for its utmost precision in the loading and unloading operations. As with all robots of the KR QUANTEC Serie, this model is characterized by up to 160 kg less weight and 25 % less volume compared with its predecessor series. The lighter components allow greater dynamic performance and even shorter cycle times, as well as being stiffer than before.

Results / Success

“Today, we can deliver all pallet loads for depalletizing at their full height and thus produce at the desired speed. For our 12-packs of beer, this means a hefty increase of 20 percent in productivity,”sums up Rick Ginter, Director of Engineering at Widmer Brothers Brewing.